Julie McDonald OAM

Julie McDonald held the Commonwealth record for the 800m Freestyle for 21 years, and is still holds the 4th top time Australia has ever produced.

Julie is a dual Olympian competing in 1988 and 1992, a dual Commonwealth Games representative in 1986 and 1990, a dual Pan Pacific Championship representative in 1987 and 1989 and a dual World Championship participant in 1986 and 1991.

Julie represented Australia in swimming in every Australian Team from 1986 until 1992, captaining two of these teams.

Julie was the only Australian female to win an Olympic Medal in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, winning a Bronze medal in the 800 metres freestyle.

Julie’s achievements are as follows: –

1986

First Australian Team for the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland, winning a Silver medal in the 800 metres freestyle.

Selected in the Australian Team for the World Championships in Madrid, Spain.

Highest placed Australian at the Championships coming 4th in the 800 metres freestyle, beating the recent Commonwealth Champion.

Named Swimmer of the Meet at the Canada Cup Invitational Meet, Vancouver, Canada.

1987

Julie was selected in the Australian Team for the Pan Pacific Championships held in Brisbane.

Won Gold in the 800 metres Freestyle, beating World Record Holder Janet Evans.

Broke Tracey Wickham’s former World Record mark and broke her Commonwealth Record, that Tracey had held for 9 years. Julie missed the new World Record by 0.74 seconds.

Won Silver medal in 400 metres Freestyle.

Won Silver medal in the 4 x 200 metres Freestyle Relay.

Named Female Swimmer of the Meet.

Named Queensland Sportswoman of the Year.

Australian Sportswoman of the Year.

Australian Female Swimmer of the Year.

Named Swimmer of the Meet at the Invitational Meet in Monte Carlo, France.

1988

Selected in the Australian Team for the Seoul Olympic Games.

First Olympic Games to be attended by all countries after the boycott of the 1980 and 1984 Olympics.

1991

1992

Selected for Olympic Team in Barcelona, Spain, Captaining Team.

Julie had septicemia (blood poisoning) and didn’t make finals.

Ranked Second in the World for 800 metres Freestyle.

1995

After a three year break from swimming, Julie recommenced training in an effort to make her third Olympic Team. At the selection trials Julie swam the automatic qualifying time but was placed third. Only the first two are selected.

In total Julie represented Australia 13 times including Invitational Swim Meets.

Julie was the first Australian to break 16 minutes for the 1500 metres Freestyle for women.

World Ranked in All Time Top 10 from 1986 – 1995

Still ranked 5th fastest time in History for 800 metres Freestyle.

Has held Commonwealth Record for 800 metres Freestyle since 1987, being the only Australian to break Tracey Wickham’s World Record Time, being the second longest standing Commonwealth Record.

The only swimmer to beat Janet Evans in the 800m freestyle during her Outstanding Career.

The fastest 800 metre Freestyler Australia has ever produced.

Brisbane Swimming Association has named a swimming carnival in Julie’s honour – The Julie McDonald Cup – held annually.

Julie was an active committee member of the Justin Cameron Cancer Care Foundation, fundraising for cancer research at the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane for a number of years and still assists.

Continues to do voluntary work for several charity organisations.

Has worked with the Queensland Olympic Council as a fundraising consultant.

Presenter for the Australian Olympic Committee in their Drug Education Program.

Running her own successful business, Mightymac Promotions, with Motivational and after Dinner Keynote presentations and being Master of Ceremonies.

MightyMac also has a division in Natural Medicine, helping people overcome health problems.